Registered NURSE - Ambulatory Care Unit​/Post Acute Care Unit

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital / Southern Vermont Health Services Corporation Job Description

Job Title: Ambulatory RN ACU/PACU

Job Code: 250

ACU

Hours: Variable Days

FTE: 1

Weekend

Schedule:

Rotating On Call

On Call

Schedule:

Rotating On Call

Holiday

Schedule:

Rotating On Call

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Department Name: ACU/PACU

Department Code: 6420

Location: Peri Op Service ACU/PACU

The Perioperative Ambulatory RN provides skilled, patient-centered care during the preoperative and postoperative periods, with cross-training to support patient care across multiple areas including the Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU), Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Pre-Anesthesia Clinic (PAC), and Endoscopy.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assessing the health status of individuals and groups including patients’ physical and psychological readiness for surgery
• Collecting patient history, vital signs, and other relevant data
• Preparing patients for surgery, including education on the procedure, medications, and post-operative care
• Establishing nursing diagnoses and goals to meet identified health care needs.
• Planning and implementing nursing interventions in collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
• Evaluating patient responses to interventions and adjusting care plans accordingly.
• Delegating and supervising interventions performed by others as appropriate.
• Educating patients, families, and colleagues.
• Maintaining a safe environment for effective nursing care.
• Ensuring all necessary paperwork and consent forms are completed.

This role requires flexibility, critical thinking, and collaborative practice in a multidisciplinary team setting. Call coverage is required.

Perioperative Services at BMH encompasses care from infancy (10 months) through end-of-life, providing comprehensive surgical and procedural services across the following areas:

• Pre-Anesthesia Clinic (PAC)
• Operating Room (OR)
• Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU)
• Endoscopy
• Minor Procedures
• Sterile Processing Department (SPD)
• Staffing

The department is staffed by:

• Registered Nurses (RNs)
• Surgical Technologists
• Scheduler/Assistant Staffing Coordinator
• Sterile Processing Technicians
• Operating Room Assistants
• Unit Secretary/LNAs
• Perioperative Workflow Coordinator
• Perioperative Supervisor
• Director of Perioperative Services
• Surgical Services

• The OR operates 24/7 with elective surgery hours from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
• Procedures are conducted in three surgical suites by credentialed surgeons.
• Cesarean sections are performed in the Birthing Center OR.
• Scheduling and block times are coordinated by the Surgical Governance Council.
• Coordination involves physician offices, the OR, Anesthesia, and SPD.

The PACU provides:

• Immediate postoperative care
• Monitoring prior to admission, transfer, or discharge
• Intensive observation post-surgery or procedure

The ACU delivers:

• Pre and postoperative assessment, care and education
• Preoperative nerve block placement
• Discharge planning & education

Staffed by RNs, a Workflow Coordinator, and a Unit Secretary, the PAC supports:

• Pre-surgical patient interviews and assessments
• Review of preoperative consults and test results
• Compliance with anesthesia guidelines to ensure surgical patient readiness

SPD is responsible for:

• Decontaminating and sterilizing instruments for the OR and physician practices
• Ensuring all equipment meets hospital policy and safety standards

Qualification:

Education:

• Graduate of an RN accredited nursing program; BSN preferred.

Experience/Skill Sets:

• 3-5 years recent outpatient clinical nursing experience preferred
• Acute care experience preferred

Licensure/Certification(s):

• Active State of Vermont RN license
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification
• Current ACLS Certification
• PALS Certification recommended

OSHA Category I - Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues require use of techniques of Universal Precautions as evidenced with blood borne pathogens standards.

On-the-job time is spent in the following physical activities.

• Standing - Up to 3/4
• Walking - Up to 3/4
• Sitting - 1/3 or more
• Talking or Hearing - 2/3 or more
• Use of hands to finger, handle or feel - Up to 1/3
• Pushing/Pulling - up 1/4
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling - Up to 1/4
• Reaching with hands and arms - Up to 1/3
• Tasting or smelling - None

This position requires that weight be lifted or force be exerted.

• Up to 10 pounds - 2/3 or more
• Up to 35 pounds - 1/3 to 1/2
• Up to 50 pounds - None
• Up to 100 pounds - None
• More than 100 pounds - None

This position has special vision requirements.

• Close Vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
• Ability to Adjust Focus (ability to adjust eye to bring an object into sharp focus)

This position requires exposure to the following environmental conditions.

• Wet, humid conditions (non-weather) - None
• Work…